Washington Court Records

Washington Court Record Lookup

Washington WA court records are essential to executing the presiding judge’s order, whether it’s to establish child support in Washington, collect a judgment, finalize an adoption, or clear a driving record. Washington D.C. court records are public documents and therefore available to anyone who performs Washington court records search.

Superior Court

The general trial courts of the District are separated into several specialized divisions, including civil and criminal, family court (divorces, custody, neglect, juvenile), probate (wills, estates, guardianships), family social services (juvenile crime), domestic violence, and taxes. These Washington courthouses handle all civil and criminal cases originating in the District. Minor traffic offenses and tickets are not handled by the superior court but by the Washington Department of Motor Vehicles.

Records of court cases can be searched online by conducting Washington court case lookup. Cases involving juveniles as well as those that name victims of some crimes may be restricted by confidentiality laws.

In a recent year, the superior courts disposed of over 46,000 civil and almost 20,000 criminal cases. The probate division disposed of almost 3,000 cases and family courts almost 11,000 cases. Anyone can access Washington court records online.

Appellate courts

There is one court of appeals in the District. This court hears disputed decisions from lower courts and government agencies as well as advising on cases underway in superior court (called interlocutory appeals), advising on the constitutionality of laws, and overseeing attorneys’ and judges’ professional ethics for the region.

Federal court

Each state and the District of Columbia have a branch of the federal court called U.S. District Court. This body hears cases involving violations of federal law, multi-state lawsuits, bankruptcy petitions, and the like. Records of federal cases can be accessed through a Washington court record lookup.

Washington Notable Court Cases

In State of Washington v. Jarred Ha (2016), a student was beaten by a bodybuilder after leaving an off-campus party. The defendant used his knife to stop the beating, seriously wounding the bodybuilder. Ha was then charged with assault, which can carry a sentence of up to 12 years, and was suspended from the University of Washington. The jury trial lasted two weeks and acquitted him on all charges, stating he acted in self-defense. Ha was allowed to return to school and reimbursed for all of his attorney's fees.

In State v. Brian and Hollie Beston (2009), a registered sex offender from California reported a relationship with a Washington couple who appeared to be sexually abusing their 4-year-old daughter in online photos and videos they shared with him. A search warrant was obtained and evidence of child rape and sexual abuse was found on the couple's home computer. The Bestons pleaded guilty to multiple counts of child sexual abuse and were convicted and sentenced to incarceration. Be protected from this type of crimes using Washington public criminal records.

State v. John Pomeroy and Rebecca Long (2008): Someone discovered a very emaciated 14-year-old girl locked in a Carnation, Washington home and called the police for help. Law enforcement removed the girl from the property and determined that the couple had been limiting her food and water for several years, causing her to be very malnourished and underdeveloped. The defendants were sentenced to 3 ½ years in prison.